Andrea Lobo, science writer —

Andrea Lobo holds a PhD in cell biology/neurosciences from the University of Coimbra-Portugal, where she studied stroke biology. As a research scientist for 19 years, Andrea participated in academic projects in multiple research fields, from stroke, gene regulation, cancer, and rare diseases. She has authored multiple research papers in peer-reviewed journals.

Articles by Andrea Lobo

TTR gene mutation, unique to China, tied to eye condition, neuropathy

Gly103Arg, a mutation in the TTR gene that has been exclusively reported in Chinese people, is associated with a familial amyloid polyneuropathy-like profile marked by eye and neurological involvement, according to a case report and literature review study. All three patients from a single family carrying the mutation had…

Combination therapy may be safe in FAP patients: Study

Combination therapy for hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (hATTR), a group of conditions including familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP), appears to be safe, according to a retrospective study, but because its effects “on neurological symptoms could not be assessed,” more studies are needed to confirm its benefits, the researchers wrote. Most of…

Heart damage-linked gene caused FAP-like symptoms: Case report

A man carrying p.Val142Ile, a TTR gene mutation often linked to a condition related to familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) but causing heart damage instead of nerve damage, developed FAP-like neurological symptoms and no heart involvement, a case report showed. “The particularly unusual [genetic profile-clinical profile] association distinguishes this case…

New FAP-causing gene mutation ID’d in elderly man in Argentina

A new mutation in the TTR gene was identified as the cause of late-onset familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) in an elderly man in Argentina, a small case study indicates. The case highlights “the importance of including FAP-TTR among early differential diagnosis in patients with presumably idiopathic [of uncertain cause]…

FAP-like profile seen in brothers with heart damage-linked mutation

Two Italian brothers carrying V122I, a TTR gene mutation often linked to hereditary ATTR amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy (hATTR-CM), developed neurological symptoms that resembled familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP), with little or no heart involvement, a study shows. The cases add to the growing number of studies reporting symptoms of nerve…

Sudoscan noninvasive skin test may help improve early FAP diagnosis

Sudoscan, a commercial device that evaluates sweat gland function, might be a useful noninvasive tool to assess damage to small nerve fibers in people with familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP), a small study showed. Those small nerve fibers usually are affected in the early stages of the disease, leading to symptoms like…

Amvuttra for FAP Among Specialty Treatments Offered by Soleo Health

Soleo Health, a U.S. national provider of pharmacy services, announced that Amvuttra (vutrisiran), an approved treatment for adults with familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP), has been added to its portfolio of specialty treatments. Amvuttra was developed by Alnylam Pharmaceuticals to treat FAP, also known as hereditary transthyretin-mediated (hATTR) amyloidosis with…